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Information about this scabbard type
This scabbard type has a straight black lacquered leather body with exterior sheet brass mounts. Although these scabbards are straight, their wide body width handles the curved blades for which they were made.
The brass tip mount is straight on the top edge and the bottom edge curves upward to the top edge terminating into a round brass ball finial.
Speculation and questions
This scabbard type was made in the 1850's to possibly the early 1860's for the large bayonets produced mainly by the Harper Ferry Arsenal for the Model 1841 and Model 1855 rifles.
The above images show the four known variations, from left to right, Variations A, B, C and D.
It is my believe that the Variation A and B scabbards were early production by federal arsenals, possibly Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. Other than the frog attachment they are almost identical. Which came first or why the difference in frog attachment is currently unknown.
It is also believed that Variation C was produced by a federal arsenal in a later attempt to strengthen the scabbard by enlarging the rivets and providing a stronger frog attachment.
Finally it is believed that the Variation D scabbards were produced under contract by J.I. Pittman of New York City probably to supplement the Type C production.
The overall length of the Model 1855 bayonet (~550 millimeter blade length) is 20 millimeters shorter than the Model 1841 bayonet (~570 millimeter blade length). To date, it has been believed (by the author) that Type 2 scabbards were made to fit both the Model 1841 and the Model 1855 bayonets. Today, some of these scabbards are substantially shorter and only fit the Model 1855 bayonet but shrinkage has been blamed for this difference. Clearly leather scabbards, over a long period of time, will shrink to the form of the blade stored inside.
Currently observed scabbard lengths have ranged from 575 to 605 millimeters. (The ball finial is 12 to 15 millimeters of this overall length.) The 30 millimeter variance is a bit larger than one would expect from just shrinkage. To date, observed Variation A and B scabbards appear to be long enough to fit the Model 1841 (590 millimeters or greater). Variation C scabbards have ranged from 575 to 591 millimeters in length. Variation D scabbards have ranged from 584 to 594 millimeters in length. Were some of these scabbards specifically made for the shorter Model 1855 bayonet?
Scabbard Type Variations
This variation has a round domed brass frog stud brazed to the brass throat mount. Plus, the heads of the rivets that hold the brass mounts to the leather body are very small.
This variation has a staple shaped brass frog loop brazed to the brass throat mount. Plus, the heads of the rivets that hold the brass mounts to the leather body are very small.
This variation has a angular shaped piece of brass with a slot for the frog strap brazed to the throat mount. Plus, the heads of the rivets that hold the brass mounts to the leather body are large and copper in color.
This variation is very similar to variation C but the scabbard body and tip mount are a bit narrower and the frog stud is a bit smaller. Plus, the edges of the brass mounts are rolled a bit wider.
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